The Wonders of God’s Creation
There is so little difference between turtles and tortoises that they should probably all have the same name. But in general, those living along ocean beaches or close to other water are called turtles, and those with homes in deserts or on land elsewhere are known as tortoises. None have teeth but very effectively use their sharp-hooked beaks and sharp edges of their mouths as good substitutes.
All lay eggs in nests dug in sand or soft earth by females using their hind feet. They lay from a handful to 100 eggs or more, covering them carefully and leaving them to incubate in the warmth of the sun. Hatching, the babies dig their little bodies out of the nest and are “on their own,” for the mother has forgotten all about them. Those that survive such enemies as skunks, raccoons, snakes, large birds, etc., may live for 50 years or longer.
One called the wood turtle should perhaps be called a tortoise, for it wanders far into forest lands during summer but hibernates under water in winter. This is one of the larger turtles and carries a large olive-green shell with spiderweb-like patterns all over it.
Another, known as the spotted turtle, likes to stay near wet areas in searching for food and making its home. It got its name from the bright yellow spots that appear all over its coal-black shell.
One from Mexico, protected from hunting by the government, is the Bolson tortoise, weighing up to 30 pounds. It has an unusually heavy, wrinkly looking, yellow shell and armor-like plates on its forelegs. It digs a 20-foot-long burrow with the spade-like feet and sharp claws of its front legs, going right through hard soil without difficulty. The long burrow is a nice retreat from both the heat and cold of Mexico’s climate. It gets along fine in its waterless surroundings, never needing a drink, for the Creator has arranged for it to get all the moisture it needs from the plants and vegetation it eats.
The more we study God’s creation, the more our attention is drawn to the great variety in His handiwork. Different species of bees, ants, bears, deer, turtles and many others tell us of His pleasure in creating them — alike, but different! Let us always remember that no creature ever appeared by chance —all were created in the Lord God’s infinite wisdom and for His pleasure. “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 4:1111Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11).
ML-07/03/1988